Greetings!

Welcome to the September Edition of Venture: Journeys Near & Far!

September brings a change of pace. Summer may be winding down, but it’s a great time to start thinking about where the next season of travel might take you. Whether you’re dreaming of an extended winter escape, planning a 2027 adventure or simply looking for inspiration, this month’s Venture has plenty to explore.

Our Destination of the Month takes us to Ecuador, a fascinating country where the Andes, Amazon, Pacific coast and the legendary Galápagos Islands come together in one incredible destination. From colourful cities and dramatic landscapes to unforgettable wildlife experiences, Ecuador offers plenty of ways to travel beyond the ordinary.

We're also taking you aboard the smaller side of cruising this month. In his latest blog, our President, Mike Snider, shares his experience travelling on a European small ship and takes a closer look at Why Small Ships See More. If you’ve ever wondered what makes small-ship travel different, this is worth a read.

In the kitchen, our friends at Holland America Line have shared a delicious salmon recipe that brings a little taste of the cruise experience home.

If you’re already thinking about your next getaway, we have special offers from Royal Caribbean and Club Med, along with a closer look at the growing appeal of long-stay winter vacations. Sometimes the best way to escape winter is to stay away a little longer.

And for those looking ahead to 2027, don’t miss our Celebrity group cruise with Jann Arden. It’s never too early to start planning a great trip with good company.



As always, we hope this edition of Venture gives you a few new ideas, inspires some daydreaming and perhaps gets you thinking about where you’d like to go next.

Enjoy this month's issue, and wherever your travels take you, we wish you safe journeys and wonderful memories along the way.

Ecuador:

A Journey from the Andes to the Amazon

Few destinations offer such an extraordinary variety of experiences in such a compact country. In Ecuador, snow-capped volcanoes, historic cities, lush cloud forests and the Amazon rainforest can all be part of the same journey.

Add in the legendary Galápagos Islands, fascinating Indigenous cultures and a culinary scene that is gaining international attention, and Ecuador becomes a destination that rewards curious travellers who   ....Read More

Mike Snider's European Coast:

Why Smaller Ships See More

Fourteen days sailing from Bilbao to Rome on Oceania revealed what larger ships simply can't offer: hours with locals, meals in village restaurants, and a ship that sails rivers to dock in the heart of Seville.

I've been telling clients for years that the itinerary matters more than the price tag. But this September, sailing a 14-day Oceania cruise from Bilbao, Spain, through Portugal, France, and ending in Rome, I finally experienced exactly why smaller ships transform a European journey from sightseeing into something far more personal.

The draw was simple: I wanted to immerse myself in the coastal villages that larger cruise ships simply cannot .....Read More

Trade Snow Boots For Sand:

Why More Canadians Are Choosing Longer Winter Getaways

For many Canadians, winter travel has traditionally meant a quick one- or two-week escape from the cold. But increasingly, travellers are asking a different question: Why come home so soon?

Long-stay winter vacations are becoming an appealing option for Canadians looking to trade snow, ice and short daylight hours for sunshine, a slower pace and more time to enjoy a destination. Whether it’s three weeks, a month or even longer, an extended winter escape can transform .....Read More